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Coroner: Car rolled, trapping man in Fruitvale death

A man who was killed New Year’s Day in Fruitvale while working underneath a car became trapped when the car suddenly rolled, restricting his breathing, according to the Mesa County Coroner’s Office.

Stephan D. Barley, 50, of Meeker, died as a result of positional asphyxia in what was ruled an accident, the coroner’s office said today. Barley was otherwise uninjured by the car, the coroner said.

Barley was working underneath a friend’s car in front of 587 Darby Dr., Unit 4, around noon Tuesday, while the coroner’s office said he had the car positioned in a manner allowing him access underneath the vehicle. At the scene, the older model Dodge Daytona appeared to have had one or more of its front wheels on the sidewalk, while wooden blocks were observed behind the front and rear tires.